Gym Equipment Buying Guides
What kind of Olympic Barbell to buy?
How to create a Home Gym
A home gym is a must in any household! You can workout from the comfort of your own home, save money on recurring gym costs and have no waiting time for machines!
But how do we create a home gym that is good for you?
Here are some things we need to consider
- What do we want to get out of the home gym - We have to figure out what we want to achieve from having a home gym. Do we want to improve our cardiovascular fitness? Do we want to gain muscle and improve strength? Or do we just want to lose some body fat?
- How much space do we have - It is important to make sure we have the space for everything we want to have. Do we have room for 1 or 2 cardio machines? Do we have room for a Dumbbell Rack? Are we going to have enough room for a G6 All-In-Trainer?
- Who is going to be using the machines - Making sure the users are safe is another important factor. Will teenagers be using it? Just the parents? Or will it be used as a Personal Training Studio?
Once we have considered all of these things, we can look at the different types of equipment we can get. Here is a benefits list of the different types.
Benefits |
|
Great for muscle growth, Great for compound movements |
|
Dumbbells |
Great all round, lots of options and sizes |
Functional Trainers |
Endless Exercises, easy to use |
Multi Gyms |
Space Saving, Safe for whole family |
Power Racks |
Great for muscle growth, Great to use with barbells |
Kettlebells |
Lots of exercises, easy to store away |
Medicine Balls |
Safe for everyone, easy to store away |
Smith Machine |
Safer option than a rack, Can still do compound movements |
Strength Machines |
Very safe, Isolates muscles |
Cardio Machines |
Low impact, Can be used for H.I.I.T Workouts |
A home gym isn't complete without accessories as well! You might want to consider:
Exercise mats, resistance bands, massage balls, or a foam roller.
Once you have figured out what is best for you, then we can start shopping!
Here are some common scenarios that we see with our customers, and here are our solutions!
- Want something for the whole family to us - We would recommend a G6. It is an all in one machine with a functional trainer (lots of exercise options and safe), a built in smith machine (Very safe), a power rack (Great way to build muscle) and great for the price.
- Wants to build muscle fast - We would recommend a MyRack Package with Barbells/ Weights and dumbbells with a storage rack. Everything here is great for muscle building and strength gains.
- Want to lose body fat, but is strapped for space - We would recommend a WaterRower. They burn calories fast when used right and are very easy to store away.
- An elderly couple who wants to keep fit - We would recommend an Andes 5 Cross trainer, as they are low impact and very easy to use.
3 Things to look for in an Exercise Bike
When purchasing an exercise bike, it's important to think about what your fitness goals are. The reason that this is important is because not all exercise bikes are the same. While it may seem tempting to purchase the cheapest exercise bike you can find, chances are that you will either find it not suitable or worse not use it.
Following are the 3 Things to look for in an Exercise Bike and how it relates to your fitness goals:
1.) FLYWHEEL
The flywheel is essentially a weighted disc inside the exercise bike and is usually connected to the pedal/axle by way of a belt. The flywheel is what provides the momentum as you pedal. Basically the heavier the flywheel the more momentum. This will also translate into how smooth the bike feels.
2.) RESISTANCE METHOD
The resistance on an exercise bike will be either be controlled MANUALLY or ELECTRONICALLY. Manual exercise bikes like Lifespan Exer-58 are a good option if your wanting to maintain fitness or build lower body strength pre & post knee surgery for example.
An electronic exercise bike will typically have a wide range of resistance levels which means that you will have a lot of scope to grow into your exercise bike. Along with the additional resistance levels will be programs. An exercise bike with programs will automatically adjust the resistance according to your desired level of workout intensity.
3.) COMFORT
Finally an exercise bike with an uncomfortable seat will not encourage you to use it. An exercise bike like the Bodyworx AC270AT offers a seat with gel inserts for a nice & comfortable exercise bike experience.
If you want to find out more about which exercise bike is right for you, your welcome to visit our showroom in Narellan.
The advantages of a Treadmill at Home
Going out for your daily walk or run outside is a great way of keeping fit & healthy, however there are times when going outside is neither safe or comfortable. Inclement weather or during times of high heat or pollution can make your exercise routine hazardous to say the least.
If you enjoy walking, jogging or running, having a treadmill at home is the perfect solution to maintaining your exercise regime regardless of whats happening outside your front door.
These days treadmills incorporate a number of new features which make them enjoyable to use in your home.
Quieter
Treadmills today are quieter than earlier models. Good quality treadmills, like those from Horizon Fitness feature digital motors that run at lower revolutions and are also more energy efficient.
Superior Cushioning
Variable Response Cushioning, found only on Horizon Fitness treadmills is designed to absorb as much of the impact of using a treadmill as possible. Much like running in a high quality pair of running shoes, Horizon Fitness treadmills feature a tri-zone running deck that actively adjusts to your running stride.
Entertainment Options
Some modern treadmills allow you to stream your favourite music via Bluetooth from your smartphone to the onboard speakers on the treadmill.
Having a treadmill at home is a great way for the whole family to keep fit & healthy from the comfort of home.